Can a shift last any longer?

Really. All I'm asking is for you to not throw up on me. Is it too

much to ask? I don't want to smell like this all day. Especially since he's working with me. The last thing I want him to do is leave

me because I smell bad. Although I hope if he ever left me it would be for a better

reason than that. Actually, I'm hoping he never leaves me at all. He's one

of the two most important people in my life, the other one being Molly. I

don't ever want to lose him.

At last my shift is over and I wearily trudge into the lounge. As soon as I

open the door, however, I see the one thing that never fails to brighten my day. Him. He's sitting on the couch in the lounge and

staring at me in that way he does, that way that makes me just melt. All the weariness

leaves my body and I walk over to him as he stands up to greet me. He runs his fingers through my hair and leans in close to whisper

something to Me. "You smell funny."

I slap him and roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, things happened today." I

walk over to my locker and remove the shirt I was wearing earlier in the

day. The one that had all the puke on it. Four times the puke on it.

Normally I can dodge those things, but today my reaction and timing seemed to be

off a little bit. Maybe it was because of the doctor that was working with me...

"I could still be wearing this you know. I tried to clean up but there's only so much you can do around here." He smiled. "I

know." I took my purse out of my locker and shut the door. He grabbed my hand and pulled me

closer to him. "You're not repulsed by my smell apparently," I told him, grinning slyly.

"Not in the least. It would take a lot more than that to keep me away from you." He leaned down and kissed me deeply, taking my

breath away. It had been nine long hours since we had last done this, and I

think both of us were suffering from withdrawals. As the kiss began to

grow, the door flew open and we jumped apart. "Oops. Sorry," Susan said,

unable to contain a slight chuckle. "I didn't realize you two were busy in

here." She was smiling and fighting to keep her laughter in.

"Yeah, well, we should probably get going anyway. We have

dinner reservations in an hour and a half and someone needs to

take a major

shower before then," Carter said, looking my way.

"Oh, you two have a date tonight?" Susan asked.

"Something like that."

"What do you do with Molly while you're gone?"

I shrugged. "We have the babysitter next door come over

and watch her

until

we get back."

Susan frowned. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'd

love to spend

the

night with her. I know she still isn't going to school because of her

accident, and you two could use the free night to spend together. She

can come over to my apartment if you want. And, of course, if she wants

to."

I felt my face light up. I looked at Carter and his

expression matched

my

own. "I know she'd love to. That would be great. Thanks so much

Susan!"

"Sure. Anytime. I'm happy to do it."

I called home and told Emily the new plan, and she promised to get

Molly ready for her night with her "Aunt Susan." That chore done, the three of us

left the lounge. I told Susan Molly would be over in an hour and thanked

her again. She waved goodbye while Carter and I walked to his jeep and drove home.

**

While I finished getting ready, Carter dropped Molly off at

Susan's. I checked my make up one more time then moved out into the living room to

clean things up. A few minutes later I heard a soft knock and went to

open the door. He was leaning against the door post and looking adorable. I

smiled at him and he returned the favor, taking my face in his hands and kissing me. When we broke apart, I stared into him. All

of these things I've been missing out on, all of the feelings I've put on hold so I

could raise my daughter, came rushing back. When I looked at

him, I felt like I was looking into my own soul and seeing everything I've

ever wanted. I was seeing him.

He tilted his head to the side and took my hand. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded. We held hands as we walked out to his jeep and drove away into

the night.

**

The end of the night came all too soon. We were back at my house.

When we got to my door, I paused. Looking up at him I asked, "Do you want to come in?" He smiled. "There's nothing I want to do more."

We walked across the room, almost unsure of what to do. I suggested a movie and he agreed, going into the kitchen to get us drinks. I looked

through my pathetic collection of movies. What to watch, what to watch. I finally

decided on one: Notting Hill. One of my favorites. I turned around and saw that he was back with drinks. Noticing that we were both still dressed

up, I suggested we change so we'd be more comfortable. He had changed here this afternoon before we went out, so I knew he had some other

clothes. I went into my bedroom and put on a t-shirt and pajama pants. That problem fixed, I went back out into the living room and saw that he had

changed into jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. He was sitting on the couch, starting the

movie. I walked over and sat down next to him. He put him arm around me and I curled up against him, my head resting against his shoulder.

"Comfortable?" he asked me. "Mmmmhmmm." I murmured, settling in. This was where I was meant to be.

**

The movie was playing. It had been for awhile now. In fact, it might

almost be over. I'm not really paying attention. All I notice is him. I feel the warmth of his body heat as it leaves his body. I

feel warm and secure. All I can concentrate on is his arm around me, my

head on his chest. Suddenly the movie's over. The ending wakes us up out of this

place we've drifted to together. He doesn't move his arm. I don't move

away. "Carter?"

"Yeah?" he replies. I know what I want. He knows what I

want. It's

him

and me. Us. And I know that there's no turning back now.

It's up to

fate.

Destiny.

"Don't leave me."

**

The night was magical. Two people who had waited for so long just to

hold each other. To have one another. For me it was like a dream come

true. Every touch was sensational, every move heart stopping. I

couldn't

believe

it was happening. His hands in my hair, his breath on my

skin, his lips

moving over my body. All I had ever wanted. Lying there in my bed

with

him, I knew that this was as close to heaven on earth as it could get.

I curled up next to him and he wrapped his arms around my

body, holding

me

safe.

I knew he would never let me go.